A.D.
in the Christian era
abolitionist
a reformer who favors putting an end to slavery
Abraham Lincoln
16th President of the United States
Adolf Hitler
German Nazi dictator during World War II (1889-1945)
Africa
the second largest continent
African American
an American whose ancestors were born in Africa
agriculture
the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock
aircraft carrier
a large warship that carries planes and has a long flat deck for takeoffs and landings
Alamo
a siege and massacre at a mission in San Antonio in 1836
Alaska
a state in northwestern North America
Alexander Graham Bell
United States inventor of the telephone
Alexander Hamilton
United States statesman and leader of the Federalists
Alfred the Great
king of Wessex
alliance
the state of being confederated
Amelia Earhart
first woman aviator to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic
America
North America and South America and Central America
American Revolution
the revolution of the American Colonies against Great Britain; 1775-1783
ancestor worship
worship of ancestors
Andes
a mountain range in South America running 5000 miles along the Pacific coast
Andrew Jackson
7th president of the US
annexation
incorporation by joining or uniting
anno Domini
in the Christian era
aqueduct
a conduit that carries water over a valley
archeologist
an anthropologist who studies prehistoric people and their culture
archeology
the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people and their cultures
architect
someone who creates plans to be used in making something
architecture
the discipline dealing with the design of fine buildings
armed forces
the military forces of a nation
Articles of Confederation
a written agreement ratified in 1781 by the thirteen original states; it provided a legal symbol of their union by giving the central government no coercive power over the states or their citizens
artifact
a man-made object
Asia
the largest continent with 60% of the earth’s population
Asian American
an American who is of Asian descent
assembly line
mechanical system in a factory whereby an article is conveyed through sites at which successive operations are performed on it
astrolabe
an early form of sextant
Augustus
Roman statesman who established the Roman Empire and became emperor in 27 BC; defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BC at Actium (63 BC – AD 14)
Australia
the smallest continent
autobiography
a book or account of your own life
automobile
a motor vehicle with four wheels
aviation
the art of operating aircraft
Aztec
a member of the Nahuatl people who established an empire in Mexico that was overthrown by Cortes in 1519
B.C.
before the Christian era
B.C.E.
of the period before the Common Era
Baghdad
capital and largest city of Iraq
Balkans
the major mountain range of Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula
ballad
a narrative poem of popular origin
Battle of Bull Run
either of two battles during the American Civil War
battle of Hastings
the decisive battle in which William the Conqueror (duke of Normandy) defeated the Saxons under Harold II (1066) and thus left England open for the Norman Conquest
behavior
the way a person acts toward other people
belief
any cognitive content held as true
Benito Mussolini
Italian fascist dictator (1883-1945)
Benjamin Franklin
printer whose success as an author led him to take up politics; he helped draw up the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; he played a major role in the American Revolution and negotiated French support for the colonists; as a scientist he is remembered particularly for his research in electricity (1706-1790)
big business
commercial enterprises organized and financed on a scale large enough to influence social and political policies
Bill of Rights
a statement of fundamental rights and privileges
biography
an account of the series of events making up a person’s life
Black Sea
a sea between Europe and Asia
Bombay
a city in western India just off the coast of the Arabian Sea; India’s 2nd largest city (after Calcutta); has the only natural deep-water harbor in western India
Booker T. Washington
United States educator who was born a slave but became educated and founded a college at Tuskegee in Alabama (1856-1915)
Boston
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts
Boston Tea Party
demonstration (1773) by citizens of Boston who (disguised as Native Americans) raided three British ships in Boston harbor and dumped hundreds of chests of tea into the harbor; organized as a protest against taxes on tea
bow and arrow
a weapon consisting of arrows and the bow to shoot them
Brahmanism
the religious beliefs of ancient India as prescribed in the sacred Vedas and Brahmanas and Upanishads
Brazil
the largest Latin American country and the largest Portuguese speaking country in the world; located in the central and northeastern part of South America; world’s leading coffee exporter
Brer Rabbit
the fictional character of a rabbit who appeared in tales supposedly told by Uncle Remus and first published in 1880
bridge
structure allowing passage across a river or other obstacle
Britain
a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; `Great Britain’ is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom
Buddha
founder of Buddhism; worshipped as a god (c 563-483 BC)
Buddhism
the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth
Buenos Aires
capital and largest city of Argentina
Byzantine Empire
a continuation of the Roman Empire in the Middle East after its division in 395
Byzantium
an ancient city on the Bosporus founded by the Greeks
C.E.
of the period coinciding with the Christian era
Cairo
the capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa
California
a state in the western United States on the Pacific
camel
cud-chewing mammal used as a saddle animal in desert regions
Canada
a nation in northern North America
Canton
a city on the Zhu Jiang delta in southern China
Caribbean
region including the Caribbean Islands
Carthage
an ancient city state on the north African coast near modern Tunis; founded by Phoenicians; destroyed and rebuilt by Romans; razed by Arabs in 697
caste system
social structure in which classes are determined by heredity
castle
a large building formerly occupied by a ruler and fortified against attack
Cayuga
a member of an Iroquoian people formerly living around Cayuga Lake in New York State
Central Africa
a landlocked country in central Africa
Central America
the isthmus joining North America and South America
Central Powers
in World War I the alliance of Germany and Austria-Hungary and other nations allied with them in opposing the Allies
century
a period of 100 years
ceremony
a formal event performed on a special occasion
Cesar Chavez
United States labor leader who organized farm workers
chariot
a two-wheeled, horse-drawn vehicle
Charlemagne
king of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor
Cherokee
a member of an Iroquoian people formerly living in the Appalachian Mountains but now chiefly in Oklahoma
Chickasaw
a member of the Muskhogean people formerly living in northern Mississippi
China
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
chivalry
the medieval principles governing knightly conduct
Christian
a religious person who believes Jesus is the savior
Christianity
a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior
Christmas
a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ
Christopher Columbus
Italian navigator who discovered the New World in the service of Spain while looking for a route to China (1451-1506)
chronology
an arrangement of events in time
Cicero
a Roman statesman and orator remembered for his mastery of Latin prose (106-43 BC)
Cincinnatus
Roman statesman regarded as a model of simple virtue
Cinco de Mayo
the fifth of May which is observed in Mexico and Mexican-American communities in the United States to commemorate the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862
citizenship
membership in a state with rights and duties
city
a large and densely populated urban area
civil war
a war between factions in the same country
class
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
Cold War
a state of political hostility that existed from 1945 until 1990 between countries led by the Soviet Union and countries led by the United States
colonist
one who settles or establishes a settlement in a new region
colony
a group of organisms of the same type living together
Columbus
Italian navigator who discovered the New World in the service of Spain while looking for a route to China (1451-1506)
Common Era
of the period coinciding with the Christian era
common good
the good of a community
common man
a person who holds no title
communism
a theory favoring collectivism in a classless society
community
a group of people living in a particular local area
compass
navigational instrument for finding directions
computer technology
the activity of designing and constructing and programming computers
Confederacy
the southern states that seceded from the United States in 1861
Confederate Army
the southern army during the American Civil War
Confucianism
the teachings of Confucius emphasizing love for humanity
Confucius
Chinese philosopher whose ideas and sayings were collected after his death and became the basis of a philosophical doctrine known a Confucianism (circa 551-478 BC)
conquest
the act of defeating and taking control of
Constantine
Emperor of Rome who stopped the persecution of Christians and in 324 made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire; in 330 he moved his capital from Rome to Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople (280-337)
Constitution
the constitution written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and subsequently ratified by the original thirteen states
constitution
the act of forming or establishing something
Constitutional Convention
the convention of United States statesmen who drafted the United States Constitution in 1787
convent
a religious residence especially for nuns
Copernicus
Polish astronomer who produced a workable model of the solar system with the sun in the center (1473-1543)
corruption
use of a position of trust for dishonest gain
cotton gin
a machine that separates the seeds from raw cotton fibers
country
the territory occupied by a nation
country of origin
the country where you were born
court
an assembly to conduct judicial business
cowboy
a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
craft
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
credibility
the quality of being believable or trustworthy
crop
a cultivated plant that is grown commercially
Cuba
the largest island in the West Indies
cuneiform
an ancient wedge-shaped script used in Mesopotamia
custom
accepted or habitual practice
czar
a male monarch or emperor
dance
taking a series of rhythmical steps in time to music
Daniel Boone
an American pioneer and guide and explorer (1734-1820)
debt
the state of owing something, especially money
decade
a period of 10 years
Declaration of Independence
the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the Colonies from Great Britain
democracy
the orientation of those who favor government by the people
Democratic Party
the older of two major political parties in the United States
developing country
a country that is poor and whose citizens are mostly agricultural workers but that wants to become more advanced socially and economically
development
a process in which something passes to a different stage
Diderot
French philosopher who was a leading figure of the Enlightenment in France; principal editor of an encyclopedia that disseminated the scientific and philosophical knowledge of the time (1713-1784)
diplomacy
negotiation between nations
disagreement
a conflict of people’s opinions or actions or characters
discovery
the act of finding something
disease
an impairment of health
document
a representation of a person’s thinking with symbolic marks
domesticated animal
any of various animals that have been tamed and made fit for a human environment
dust bowl
a region subject to dust storms
Dutch
the people of the Netherlands
earnings
something that remunerates
earthquake
vibration from underground movement along a fault plane
East Africa
a geographical area in eastern Africa
eastern hemisphere
the hemisphere that includes Eurasia and Africa and Australia
Eastern Roman Empire
a continuation of the Roman Empire in the Middle East after its division in 395
economic system
the system of production and distribution and consumption
Edmund Cartwright
English clergyman who invented the power loom (1743-1823)
education
activities that impart knowledge or skill
Egypt
a republic in northeastern Africa known as the United Arab Republic until 1971; site of an ancient civilization that flourished from 2600 to 30 BC
Eleanor Roosevelt
wife of Franklin Roosevelt and a strong advocate of human rights (1884-1962)
electricity
a physical phenomenon that can produce light, heat and power
Ellis Island
an island in New York Bay that was formerly the principal immigration station for the United States
emancipation
freeing someone from the control of another
emperor
the male ruler of an empire
empire
the domain ruled by a single authoritative sovereign
employment
the state of having a job
England
a division of the United Kingdom
Enlightenment
a movement in Europe from about 1650 until 1800 that advocated the use of reason and individualism instead of tradition and established doctrine
entertainment industry
those involved in providing entertainment: radio and television and films and theater
environment
the totality of surrounding conditions
equality
the quality of being the same in quantity, value, or status
era
a period marked by distinctive character
Erie Canal
an artificial waterway connecting the Hudson river at Albany with Lake Erie at Buffalo; built in the 19th century; now part of the New York State Barge Canal
Eurasia
the land mass formed by the continents of Europe and Asia
Europe
the 2nd smallest continent
European Economic Community
an international organization of European countries formed after World War II to reduce trade barriers and increase cooperation among its members
expansion
the act of increasing in size or volume or quantity or scope
expedition
an organized group of people undertaking a journey
explorer
someone who travels to unknown regions to make discoveries
extended family
a family consisting of the nuclear family and their blood relatives
fable
a short moral story
factory
a plant with facilities for manufacturing
family history
part of a patient’s medical history in which questions are asked in an attempt to find out whether the patient has hereditary tendencies toward particular diseases
famine
a severe shortage of food resulting in starvation and death
farm
workplace or land used for growing crops or raising animals
Ferdinand Magellan
Portuguese navigator in the service of Spain
fertilizer
any substance used to improve the quality of soil
folktale
a tale circulated by word of mouth among the common folk
foreign policy
a policy governing international relations
Fourth of July
a legal holiday in the United States
Francisco Franco
Spanish general whose armies took control of Spain in 1939 and who ruled as a dictator until his death (1892-1975)
Frederick Douglass
United States abolitionist who escaped from slavery and became an influential writer and lecturer in the North (1817-1895)
Fredericksburg
a town in northeastern Virginia on the Rappahannock River
freedom
the condition of being free
freedom of religion
a civil right guaranteed by the First Amendment to the US Constitution
freedom of speech
right guaranteed by the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution
French Revolution
the revolution in France against the Bourbons; 1789-1799
frontier
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
frontiersman
a man who lives on the frontier
Galileo
Italian astronomer and mathematician who was the first to use a telescope to study the stars; demonstrated that different weights descend at the same rate; perfected the refracting telescope that enabled him to make many discoveries (1564-1642)
Garibaldi
Italian patriot whose conquest of Sicily and Naples led to the formation of the Italian state (1807-1882)
generation
group of genetically related organisms in a line of descent
Genghis Khan
Mongolian emperor whose empire stretched from the Black Sea to the Pacific Ocean (1162-1227)
geography
study of the earth’s surface
geology
science of the history of the earth as recorded in rocks
George Bush
vice president under Reagan and 41st President of the United States (born in 1924)
George W. Bush
43rd President of the United States
George Washington
1st President of the United States
George Washington Carver
United States botanist and agricultural chemist who developed many uses for peanuts and soy beans and sweet potatoes (1864-1943)
Gerald Ford
38th President of the United States
Geronimo
Apache chieftain who raided the white settlers in the Southwest as resistance to being confined to a reservation (1829-1909)
government
the system or form by which a community is ruled
Great Depression
the economic crisis beginning with the stock market crash in 1929 and continuing through the 1930s
Great Plains
a vast prairie region extending from Alberta and Saskatchewan and Manitoba in Canada south through the west central United States into Texas; formerly inhabited by Native Americans
Guangzhou
a city on the Zhu Jiang delta in southern China
gunpowder
a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in a 75:15:10 ratio which is used in gunnery, time fuses, and fireworks
hajj
a pilgrimage to Mecca that is a religious duty for Muslims
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
a terraced garden at Babylon watered by pumps from the Euphrates; construction attributed to Nebuchadnezzar around 600 BC
Harlem Renaissance
a period in the 1920s when African-American achievements in art and music and literature flourished
Harriet Tubman
United States abolitionist born a slave on a plantation in Maryland and became a famous conductor on the Underground Railroad leading other slaves to freedom in the North (1820-1913)
Hawaii
a state in the United States in the central Pacific on the Hawaiian Islands
hemisphere
half of a sphere
Henri Matisse
French painter and sculptor; leading figure of fauvism
Henry Ford
United States manufacturer of automobiles who pioneered mass production (1863-1947)
Herbert Hoover
31st President of the United States
heroism
exceptional courage when facing danger
hieroglyphic
a writing system using picture symbols
Hinduism
a body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and based on a caste system; it is characterized by a belief in reincarnation, by a belief in a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils
Hispanic American
an American whose first language is Spanish
historian
a person who is an authority on the past and who studies it
historical document
writing having historical value
history
a record or narrative description of past events
holiday
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
home front
the civilian population of a country at war
homeless
without nationality or citizenship
hominid
a member of a family of primate mammals that includes humans
Hopi
a member of the Shoshonean people of northeastern Arizona
household appliance
an appliance that does a particular job in the home
housing
structures collectively in which people are housed
Hundred Years’ War
the series of wars fought intermittently between France and England; 1337-1453
hunger
a physiological need for food
hymn
a song of praise, especially a religious song
immigrant
a person who comes to a country in order to settle there
immigration
movement of persons into a place
independence
freedom from control or influence of another or others
India
a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia
Indian Ocean
the 3rd largest ocean
Indonesia
a republic in southeastern Asia on an archipelago including more than 13,000 islands; achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1945; the principal oil producer in the Far East and Pacific regions
Industrial Revolution
the transformation from an agricultural to an industrial nation
infectious disease
a disease transmitted only by a specific kind of contact
institution
a custom that has been an important feature of some group
interest group
(usually plural) a social group whose members control some field of activity and who have common aims
internet
a worldwide network of computer networks
interpretation
the act of expressing something in an artistic performance
Inuit
a member of a people inhabiting the Arctic
invention
the act of making something new
Ireland
an island comprising the republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
iron
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element
Iroquois
a family of North American Indian languages spoken by the Iroquois
Islam
the monotheistic religious system of Muslims
Islamic law
the code of law derived from the Koran and from the teachings and example of Mohammed
Israel
an ancient kingdom of the Hebrew tribes at the southeastern end of the Mediterranean Sea; founded by Saul around 1025 BC and destroyed by the Assyrians in 721 BC
Italy
a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula
Jackie Robinson
United States baseball player
Jacques Cartier
French explorer who explored the St. Lawrence river and laid claim to the region for France (1491-1557)
James Hargreaves
English inventor of the spinning jenny (1720-1778)
James Monroe
5th President of the United States
James Watt
Scottish engineer and inventor whose improvements in the steam engine led to its wide use in industry (1736-1819)
Japan
a constitutional monarchy occupying the Japanese Archipelago
Jesus of Nazareth
a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC – AD 29)
Jew
member of a community whose traditional religion is Judaism
Jim Bowie
United States pioneer and hero of the Texas revolt against Mexico; he shared command of the garrison that resisted the Mexican attack on the Alamo where he died (1796-1836)
Jim Crow
barrier preventing blacks from participating in activities
John Adams
2nd President of the United States (1735-1826)
John Glenn
made the first orbital rocket-powered flight by a United States astronaut in 1962; later in United States Senate (1921-)
John Hancock
American revolutionary patriot who was president of the Continental Congress; was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence (1737-1793)
John Henry
hero of American folk tales
Jonas Salk
United States virologist who developed the Salk vaccine that is injected against poliomyelitis (born 1914)
Joseph Stalin
Russian leader who succeeded Lenin as head of the Communist Party and created a totalitarian state by purging all opposition (1879-1953)
journey
the act of traveling from one place to another
Judaism
the monotheistic religion of the Jews having its spiritual and ethical principles embodied chiefly in the Torah and in the Talmud
Julius Caesar
conqueror of Gaul and master of Italy (100-44 BC)
justice
the quality of being just or fair
Justinian
Byzantine emperor who held the eastern frontier of his empire against the Persians; codified Roman law in 529; his general Belisarius regained North Africa and Spain (483-565)
Kaaba
(Islam) a black stone building in Mecca that is shaped like a cube and that is the most sacred Muslim pilgrim shrine; believed to have been given by Gabriel to Abraham; Muslims turn in its direction when praying
King James I
the first Stuart to be king of England and Ireland from 1603 to 1625 and king of Scotland from 1567 to 1625; he was the son of Mary Queen of Scots and he succeeded Elizabeth I; he alienated the British Parliament by claiming the divine right of kings (1566-1625)
kingdom
the domain ruled by a monarch
knight
a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry
Know-Nothing Party
a former political party in the United States
Korea
an Asian peninsula (off Manchuria) separating the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan; the Korean name is Dae-Han-Min-Gook or Han-Gook
labor
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
Labor Day
first Monday in September in the United States and Canada
labor movement
an organized attempt by workers to improve their status by united action (particularly via labor unions) or the leaders of this movement
landowner
a holder or proprietor of land
landscape
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
Latin America
the parts of North America and South America to the south of the United States where Romance languages are spoken
Latino
a native of Latin America
law
the collection of rules imposed by authority
League of Nations
an international organization formed in 1920 to promote cooperation and peace among nations; although suggested by Woodrow Wilson, the United States never joined and it remained powerless; it was dissolved in 1946 after the United Nations was formed
legend
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
Lenin
Russian founder of the Bolsheviks and leader of the Russian Revolution and first head of the USSR (1870-1924)
Lexington and Concord
the first battle of the American Revolution (April 19, 1775)
Liberty Bell
the bell of Independence Hall
lifestyle
a manner of living that reflects one’s values and attitudes
Lincoln Memorial
memorial building in Washington containing a large marble statue of Abraham Lincoln
literacy
the ability to read and write
Louis Pasteur
French chemist and biologist whose discovery that fermentation is caused by microorganisms resulted in the process of pasteurization (1822-1895)
Louisiana
a state in southern United States on the Gulf of Mexico
Louisiana Purchase
territory in the western United States purchased from France in 1803 for $15 million; extends from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada
lunar year
a period of 12 lunar months
majority rule
the doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group
Malaysia
a constitutional monarchy in southeastern Asia on Borneo and the Malay Peninsula; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1957
Mali
a landlocked republic in northwestern Africa
manifest destiny
a policy of imperialism rationalized as inevitable
manor
the landed estate of a lord, including the house on it
manufacturing
the act of making something (a product) from raw materials
Marco Polo
Venetian traveler who explored Asia in the 13th century and served Kublai Khan (1254-1324)
Marcus Aurelius
Emperor of Rome
Marie Curie
French chemist who won two Nobel prizes
Mary McLeod Bethune
United States educator who worked to improve race relations and educational opportunities for Black Americans (1875-1955)
mass production
the production of large quantities of a standardized article
Memorial Day
legal holiday in the United States, last Monday in May
merchant
a businessperson engaged in retail trade
Mesoamerica
Mexico and Central America
Mesopotamia
the land between the Tigris and Euphrates
Mexico
a republic in southern North America
middle
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
middle class
the social class between the lower and upper classes
Middle East
the area around the eastern Mediterranean
migrant
traveler who moves from one region or country to another
migration
the movement of persons from one locality to another
mill
a facility for manufacturing
missionary
someone sent on an assignment to a foreign country
Missouri Compromise
an agreement in 1820 between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States concerning the extension of slavery into new territories
modernization
the act of making up-to-date in appearance or behavior
Mohawk
a member of the Iroquoian people formerly living along the Mohawk River in New York State
monk
a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
Monroe Doctrine
an American foreign policy opposing interference in the western hemisphere from outside powers
monument
a structure erected to commemorate persons or events
Mormon
a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Moslem
a believer in or follower of Islam
mother country
the country where you were born
motive
the reason that arouses action toward a desired goal
motto
a favorite saying of a sect or political group
mountain man
a man who lives on the frontier
Mt. Rushmore
a mountain in the Black Hills of South Dakota
Muhammad
the Arab prophet who, according to Islam, was the last messenger of Allah (570-632)
mummification
the act of embalming, drying, and wrapping a dead body
Muslim
a believer in or follower of Islam
myth
a traditional story serving to explain a world view
Napoleon Bonaparte
French general who became emperor of the French (1769-1821)
nation
a politically organized body of people under a government
national flag
an emblem flown as a symbol of nationality
national holiday
authorized by law and limiting work or official business
national park
a tract of land declared by the national government to be public property
Native American
of or pertaining to American Indians or their culture or languages
natural resource
resources (actual and potential) supplied by nature
navigation
the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place
Neanderthal
extinct robust human of Middle Paleolithic in Europe and western Asia
Nero
Roman Emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64) but the Roman Empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)
Netherlands
a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea
New Deal
the economic policy of F. D. Roosevelt
New England
a region of northeastern United States comprising Maine and New Hampshire and Vermont and Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Connecticut
New Mexico
a state in southwestern United States on the Mexican border
New Orleans
a port and largest city in Louisiana
New Testament
the collection of books of the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline and other epistles, and Revelation; composed soon after Christ’s death; the second half of the Christian Bible
New Zealand
an independent country within the British Commonwealth
newcomer
a recent arrival
Newton
English mathematician and physicist
Nez Perce
a member of a tribe of the Shahaptian people living on the pacific coast
nonviolent resistance
peaceful resistance to a government by fasting or refusing to cooperate
norm
a standard or model or pattern regarded as typical
North Africa
an area of northern Africa between the Sahara and the Mediterranean Sea
North America
a continent (the third largest) in the western hemisphere connected to South America by the Isthmus of Panama
Northeast
the northeastern region of the United States
Nubia
an ancient region of northeastern Africa on the Nile
occupation
the principal activity in one’s life to earn money
Oceania
a large group of islands in the south Pacific including Melanesia and Micronesia and Polynesia (and sometimes Australasia and the Malay Archipelago)
Oneida
a member of the Iroquoian people formerly living east of Lake Ontario
Onondaga
a member of the Iroquoian people formerly living between Lake Champlain and the Saint Lawrence River
Oregon
a state in northwestern United States on the Pacific
origin
the place where something begins
Ottoman Empire
a Turkish sultanate of southwestern Asia and northeastern Africa and southeastern Europe; created by the Ottoman Turks in the 13th century and lasted until the end of World War I; although initially small it expanded until it superseded the Byzantine Empire
outlaw
a criminal, especially one on the run from police
P. T. Barnum
United States showman who popularized the circus (1810-1891)
Pablo Picasso
prolific and influential Spanish artist who lived in France
Palestine
an ancient country in southwestern Asia on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea; a place of pilgrimage for Christianity and Islam and Judaism
Panama Canal
a ship canal 40 miles long across the Isthmus of Panama built by the United States (1904-1914)
Paris
(Greek mythology) the prince of Troy who abducted Helen from her husband Menelaus and provoked the Trojan War
past
earlier than the present time; no longer current
patriot
one who loves and defends his or her country
Paul Bunyan
a legendary giant lumberjack of the north woods of the United States and Canada
Paul the Apostle
a Christian missionary to the Gentiles
peacekeeper
someone who maintains tranquility
Pearl Harbor
a harbor on Oahu to the west of Honolulu
peasant
one of a class of agricultural laborers
Pennsylvania
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
Peru
a republic in western South America
Pharaoh
the title of the ancient Egyptian kings
Philadelphia
the largest city in Pennsylvania
Phoenicia
an ancient maritime country (a collection of city states) at eastern end of the Mediterranean
photograph
a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print
physical geography
the study of physical features of the earth’s surface
pictograph
a graphic character used in picture writing
pilgrim
someone who journeys in foreign lands
pioneer
one the first colonists or settlers in a new territory
plague
any large-scale calamity
plantation
an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale
Plymouth
a town in Massachusetts founded by Pilgrims in 1620
point of view
a mental position from which things are perceived
pollution
contamination of the natural environment
Pompeii
ancient city to the southeast of Naples that was buried by a volcanic eruption from Vesuvius
pony express
express mail carried by relays of riders on horseback
population
the people who inhabit a territory or state
population growth
increase in the number of people who inhabit a territory or state
pottery
objects made from clay and baked in a kiln
poverty
the state of having little or no money and possessions
prairie
a treeless grassy plain
printing press
a machine used for printing
production
the act or process of making something
prohibition
the action of forbidding
protest
a formal and solemn declaration of objection
proverb
a condensed but memorable saying embodying an important fact
Pueblo
a member of any of about two dozen Native American peoples called `Pueblos’ by the Spanish because they live in pueblos (villages built of adobe and rock)
Puerto Rico
a self-governing commonwealth associated with the United States occupying the island of Puerto Rico
radio
medium for communication
Ramadan
the ninth month of the Islamic calendar
ranching
farming for the raising of livestock (particularly cattle)
rapid transit
an urban public transit system using underground or elevated trains
Rasputin
Siberian peasant monk who was religious advisor in the court of Nicholas II; was assassinated by Russian noblemen who feared that his debauchery would weaken the monarchy (1872-1916)
Reconstruction
the period after the American Civil War when the southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union; 1865-1877
recreation
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
reform
make changes for improvement to remove abuse and injustices
Reformation
a religious movement of the 16th century that began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the creation of Protestant churches
reformer
a disputant who advocates reform
region
the extended spatial location of something
religion
a strong belief in supernatural powers that control destiny
Renaissance
period of European history at the close of the Middle Ages
reservation
the act of setting aside for some future occasion
resistance
any mechanical force that tends to retard or oppose motion
responsibility
the social force that binds you to a course of action
revolution
a single complete turn
Richard Henry Lee
leader of the American Revolution who proposed the resolution calling for independence of the American Colonies (1732-1794)
Richard Nixon
vice president under Eisenhower and 37th President of the United States; resigned after the Watergate scandal in 1974 (1913-1994)
right to vote
a legal right guaranteed by the 15th amendment to the US Constitution; guaranteed to women by the 19th amendment
ritual
the prescribed procedure for conducting religious ceremonies
Roman Empire
an empire established by Augustus in 27 BC and divided in AD 395 into the Western Roman Empire and the eastern or Byzantine Empire; at its peak lands in Europe and Africa and Asia were ruled by ancient Rome
Roman Republic
the ancient Roman state from 509 BC until Augustus assumed power in 27 BC; was governed by an elected Senate but dissatisfaction with the Senate led to civil wars that culminated in a brief dictatorship by Julius Caesar
Rome
capital and largest city of Italy
Ronald Reagan
40th President of the United States (1911-2004)
Rosa Parks
United States civil rights leader who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery (Alabama) and so triggered the national Civil Rights movement (born in 1913)
ruling class
the class of people exerting power or authority
rural area
an area outside of cities and towns
Russia
a federation in northeastern Europe and northern Asia
Sacramento
a city in north central California 75 miles to the northeast of San Francisco on the Sacramento River; capital of California
Sam Houston
United States politician and military leader who fought to gain independence for Texas from Mexico and to make it a part of the United States (1793-1863)
Samuel Adams
American Revolutionary leader and patriot
San Antonio
a city of south central Texas
San Francisco
a port in western California near the Golden Gate that is one of the major industrial and transportation centers; it has one of the world’s finest harbors; site of the Golden Gate Bridge
Santa Fe
capital of the state of New Mexico
Scandinavia
a group of culturally related countries in northern Europe
Scipio Africanus
Roman general who commanded the invasion of Carthage in the second Punic War and defeated Hannibal at Zama (circa 237-183 BC)
sculpture
a three-dimensional work of plastic art
Seneca
a member of the Iroquoian people formerly living in New York State south of Lake Ontario
serf
a person bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord
services
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
settlement
the act of colonizing; the establishment of colonies
settler
a person who resides in a new colony or country
Seven Years’ War
a war of England and Prussia against France and Austria
sharecropper
a tenant farmer who owes a portion of each harvest for rent
Shiloh
the second great battle of the American Civil War
Siberia
a vast Asian region of Russia; famous for long cold winters
Singapore
an island to the south of the Malay Peninsula
Sioux
a member of a group of North American Indian peoples who spoke a Siouan language and who ranged from Lake Michigan to the Rocky Mountains
Sitka
a town in southeastern Alaska that was the capital of Russian America and served as the capital of Alaska from 1867 until 1906
slave
a person who is owned by someone
slave trade
traffic in slaves
slogan
a favorite saying of a sect or political group
smuggling
secretly importing prohibited goods or goods on which duty is due
social class
people having the same social, economic, or educational status
society
an extended group having a distinctive cultural organization
Socrates
ancient Athenian philosopher; teacher of Plato and Xenophon
Sojourner Truth
United States abolitionist and feminist who was freed from slavery and became a leading advocate of the abolition of slavery and for the rights of women (1797-1883)
solar system
the sun with the celestial bodies that revolve around it
solar year
the time for the earth to make one revolution around the sun, measured between two vernal equinoxes
Solomon
son of David and king of Israel noted for his wisdom
Songhai
a Nilo-Saharan language spoken by the Songhai in Mali and Niger
soup kitchen
a place where food is dispensed to the needy
South America
a continent in the western hemisphere connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama
South Korea
a republic in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula
South Pacific
that part of the Pacific Ocean to the south of the equator
Southeast Asia
a geographical division of Asia that includes Indochina plus Indonesia and the Philippines and Singapore
Southwest
the southwestern region of the United States generally including New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, California, and sometimes Utah and Colorado
Soviet Union
a former communist country in eastern Europe and northern Asia; established in 1922; included Russia and 14 other soviet socialist republics (Ukraine and Byelorussia and others); officially dissolved 31 December 1991
Spain
a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power
Spanish Civil War
civil war in Spain in which Franco succeeded in overthrowing the republican government; during the war Spain became a battleground for fascists and socialists from all countries; 1936-1939
Spanish-American War
a war between the United States and Spain in 1898
spectator sport
a sport that many people find entertaining to watch
spinning jenny
an early spinning machine with multiple spindles
St. Augustine
one of the great Fathers of the early Christian church
state
the way something is with respect to its main attributes
Statue of Liberty
a large monumental statue symbolizing liberty on Liberty Island in New York Bay
steam engine
external-combustion engine in which heat is used to raise steam which either turns a turbine or forces a piston to move up and down in a cylinder
steam locomotive
a locomotive powered by a steam engine
steamship
a ship powered by one or more steam engines
Stonehenge
an ancient megalithic monument in southern England
Sub-Saharan Africa
the region of Africa to the south of the Sahara Desert
submarine
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
suburb
a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
Suez Canal
a ship canal in northeastern Egypt linking the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea
sugar cane
tall tropical southeast Asian grass having stout fibrous jointed stalks; sap is a chief source of sugar
Sunna
(Islam) the way of life prescribed as normative for Muslims on the basis of the teachings and practices of Muhammad and interpretations of the Koran
superstition
an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
Supreme Court
the highest federal court in the United States
Susan B. Anthony
United States suffragist (1820-1906)
Swahili
the most widely spoken Bantu languages
symbol
something visible that represents something invisible
Syria
an Asian republic in the Middle East at the east end of the Mediterranean; site of some of the world’s most ancient centers of civilization
tactic
a plan for attaining a particular goal
Taj Mahal
beautiful mausoleum at Agra built by the Mogul emperor Shah Jahan (completed in 1649) in memory of his favorite wife
tall tale
an improbable (unusual or incredible or fanciful) story
technology
the practical application of science to commerce or industry
Tecumseh
a famous chief of the Shawnee who tried to unite Indian tribes against the increasing white settlement (1768-1813)
telegraph
apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire
temple
a place of worship
Ten Commandments
the biblical commandments of Moses
tenant
someone who pays rent to use property owned by someone else
territory
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
Texas
the second largest state
Thanksgiving
fourth Thursday in November in the United States
Theodore Roosevelt
26th President of the United States
Thomas Jefferson
3rd President of the United States
Thomas Nast
United States political cartoonist (1840-1902)
Timbuktu
a city in central Mali near the Niger river
tobacco
aromatic annual or perennial herbs and shrubs
Tokyo
the capital and largest city of Japan
tolerance
willingness to respect the beliefs or practices of others
tool
an implement used to perform a task or job
town
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
trade
the commercial exchange of goods and services
trade route
a route followed by traders (usually in caravans)
tradition
a specific practice of long standing
trail
a path or track
transportation
the act of moving something from one location to another
tribute
something given or done as an expression of esteem
Turkey
a Eurasian republic in Asia Minor and the Balkans
twentieth century
the century from 1901 to 2000
Underground Railroad
secret aid to escaping slaves that was provided by abolitionists in the years before the American Civil War
unification
the act of making or becoming a single entity
Union Army
the northern army during the American Civil War
United Nations
an organization of independent states formed in 1945 to promote international peace and security
United States
North American republic containing 50 states – 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
United States Constitution
the constitution written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and subsequently ratified by the original thirteen states
urban center
a large and densely populated urban area
vaccine
injection of weakened or dead microbes to create antibodies
Versailles
a city in north central France near Paris
Veterans Day
a legal holiday in the United States
Vicksburg
a town in western Mississippi on bluffs above the Mississippi River to the west of Jackson; focus of an important campaign during the American Civil War as the Union fought to control the Mississippi River and so to cut the Confederacy into two halves
Vietnam
a communist state in Indochina on the South China Sea
Vietnam War
a prolonged war (1954-1975) between the communist armies of North Vietnam who were supported by the Chinese and the armies of South Vietnam who were supported by the United States
volunteer
a person who performs work done by choice
vote
a choice made by counting people in favor of alternatives
war
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
War of 1812
a war (1812-1814) between the United States and England which was trying to interfere with American trade with France
Watergate
a political scandal involving abuse of power and bribery and obstruction of justice; led to the resignation of Richard Nixon in 1974
weaving
creating fabric
West Africa
an area of western Africa between the Sahara Desert and the Gulf of Guinea
western hemisphere
the hemisphere that includes North America and South America
Western Roman Empire
the western part after the Roman Empire was divided in 395
wheel
a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
White House
the government building that serves as the residence and office of the President of the United States
William the Conqueror
duke of Normandy who led the Norman invasion of England and became the first Norman to be King of England; he defeated Harold II at the battle of Hastings in 1066 and introduced many Norman customs into England (1027-1087)
Winston Churchill
British statesman and leader during World War II
Woodrow Wilson
28th President of the United States
worker
a person who works at a specific occupation
workplace
a place where work is done
World War I
a war between the allies (Russia, France, British Empire, Italy, United States, Japan, Rumania, Serbia, Belgium, Greece, Portugal, Montenegro) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria) from 1914 to 1918
World War II
a war between the Allies and the Axis from 1939 to 1945
written language
communication by means of written symbols
written record
a written document preserving knowledge of facts or events
year
the period of time that it takes for a planet (as, e.g., Earth or Mars) to make a complete revolution around the sun
yesterday
the day immediately before today
